Elisabeth Hasselbeck quitting morning show

NEW YORK – Elisabeth Hasselbeck said Monday that she’s leaving as one of the three co-hosts on the “Fox & Friends” morning show to spend more time with her three children.

Hasselbeck was the conservative voice on “The View” before joining Fox News Channel in September 2013. Her co-hosts, Steve Doocy and Brian Kilmeade, have been on the morning chat show since it launched in 1998. It is the top-rated morning news show on cable.

She said in a statement Monday that she wants to start the day with her children first. She and her husband, former pro football quarterback Tim Hasselbeck, have two boys and a girl between ages 6 and 10.

“With a heart full of gratitude and the peace that God has given me, I am confident that this personal decision is the right one for our family, and we will be joining all of you watching ‘Fox & Friends’ each morning as we get ready for school together.”

Her last show on “Fox & Friends” will be in late December. Fox will try out guest hosts before announcing a permanent successor.

Hasselbeck first received attention as a contestant in the CBS game “Survivor.” ”Fox & Friends” was parodied this past weekend on “Saturday Night Live,” with Hasselbeck’s character complaining about coverage for the upcoming Black Friday shopping day.

“All Fridays matter,” the character said.

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